Beth n Rod

You are both absolutely right! Ron is the one who breathed life into them online, and made them a reality. He continues to push for the best for the industry. John, tell your wife it's tax deductable. It's not going to be all "boing business stuff" either... I am willing to bet there will be some fun after hours, with groups doing different things. I know some folks are going to casinos... I have heard some discussion of renting a limo to get a group around... I know Rod & I want to go dancing. There is TONS to do. Beth

Cool! Wish I could make all of it, but I will probably miss the first half...Will try to stop by around 9pm. Beth

Mike, are you getting a deposit for the work you take on? That helps alot in residential. State laws vary about how much you can ask for up front, but I know it can help make purchasing suppies easier. It did for us. Beth:cool:

Ron, I think we all agree if we could have done it another way we would have, but I don't think any of us got into this with a silver spoon in our mouths. When I bought that refurbished (used) machine I did it online at an auction, then turned around and bought two more used, and put them up for sale on another site where prices were higher. Guess what? It paid for the first machine. So now we have a machine and we can crank it out. We focused on small residential decks, learned alot. Started getting bigger jobs. No truck. We had a Nissan Sentra, and the machine went IN THE TRUNK. (you're laughing again) :) Ladders were tied to the roof, sealer in the back seat. No kidding. By year two we had a truck, and a MUCH better machine. Kept the other one.....still have it. It goes out on little townhouse jobs with one of our summer crews. Planing is an important part of getting where you are going. Life isn't easy no matter what, but working smart makes it easier. If you are starting out and one of you has a job, keep it if it will support you, then if you can let the other one jump in. Put all the money back into the biz, and keep a list of prioriries for things you need. When you feel you are better equipped, PAY YOU. Then, raise your prices... and join the crowd. Beth :cool:

Rod says... CAT PUMP Can't go wrong with a CAT pump. Choose the pump that goes with your machines capability. But Rod says you may have to upgrade the engine and pump because the pump has to conform to the machines capabilities. BUT.... you can easily get by with what you have this summer. Heck, yeara one we had we had a refurbished (stop laughing) 2.5 GPM (stop laughing) 2500 PSI (please stop laughing) machine. Worked like a mule. Is it a Honda engine? Beth

Ron, I turned on the HTML for you. :) Beth

HD-80 is a wonderful product. Rod and I began using it when it was first invented a few years back. We had worked with the beta and alpha versions of it before that and have been (and always will be) testers for Extreme Soultions products. It's why we carry their line of products exclusively. www.thegrimescene.com and click the HD-80 FAQ page on the menu. There are other FAQ pages there as well. It will cut through Sikkens, Behr, CWF, TWP, Wolman (ALL), Cabot, Cuprinol, you name it. It even strips some paints. There are some work photos on the FAQ page also. Rod is a picky guy when it comes to the products he will trust our name to, and he has tried most products out there. Because HD-80 will take anything off, you really don't need anything else, any stronger he says would be overkill and too strong in his opinion. You might want to try a 10 lb. tub. Most guys start that way, and then the next time around....funny thing is they get the 30 lb. tub. The Citralic acid and EFC-38 are wonderful too, in fact alot of folks overlook the EFC-38. You can strip with it, if it is a light sealer like Wolman F&P or Ready Seal or another oil based product. Films need HD-80. Beth

HTML, yes... Java...yes on some... PHP...ummm... working on it. (I learn by pulling my hair out then I read the book) It's new to me. Please feel free to try things in the test area. I know avatars and photos work. I think I have got HTML and banners set finally... Beth

Thanks Dan! We look forward to seeing you on here. You have so much to offer! :) Beth & Rod p.s. you are welcome to post the link to your BBS in your signature if you wish, or a banner... I think I finally figured out how to turn it on.... I think...

Rod says he has not had a problem, but he rinses, rinses, and rinses again. Keep the water moving. You can also use a spray shield, or mask with tape if you are really concerned. Whatever method makes you most comfortable and confident in your work. Sometimes there is more than one that will do the trick. Beth

Rich, It is true about Ready seal, and it's also true of Wood Tux. Wood Tux hold the color at the surface better, and has as a slight film to it that ready doesn't. If you try Ready Seal, try on the Tux. We'll have samples in Las Vegas. Beth:cool:

This season (Starting SOON!) The Grime Scene will be running specials that are for members ONLY. Registered users on our BBS forums will be notified of special deals, as well as news and articles. You'll save money by registering even if you don't post, but just drop in to read! So register today, because membership has savings advantages! Beth & Rod :cool: :cool:

We can't wait to meet you! :) Looking forward to seeing people we have spoken to, eamiled with and been online with. Finally! Beth

Ever go out to do an estimate and the homeowner doesn't know what's on the wood? Maybe they bought the house recently or don't have the can anymore? What do you do to identify the sealer? Beth

So do we. We use EFC-38 whenever possible. But what I was driving at, is are there things you can do to tell if the customer doesn't want you testing while you are estimating? Look, feel, smell... those are three things you can do. One reason we have found it's important to try to figure it out, is that it can bite you if you don't know. Sometimes a paint looks like a stain. HATE it when that happens. Other times it's really easy to tell. Same with the wood type. Beth

Mike, Rod says he's not sure the shurflo pump will handle 300 feet of hose... otherwise he agrees. Do you know if it will? (this over his shoulder as he was walking out to the shop area...) Beth

Sounds like the degreaser will come in handy!

Well heck, go for it then. Please post some pics for others to see. :) I would not get your water too hot... and use a long squeege on an extension pole to help extract the water out of the garage. Just my .02 worth.... Beth p.s. try your house wash mixture on the floor, but be careful, it will get slippery.

Hey, no problem. Let us know how it went. We're all glad to help around here. Beth

We have not attempted it on VCT because of the concern for the backing. However, a surface machine is wonderful in a kitchen. I would stick to standard floor care... Strip, mop, wax, high speed buff w/ a machine. The liability is too great and if the mastic is not put on well, not enough, or whatever underneath....you'll be in a pickle. Beth

The amount of "dish soap" in a home brew is not as much as you think. I have heard guys say its so you can see where you're throwing your bleach up... makes sense. Keep in mind also that most often guys will rinse with cold water. Cold water cuts suds. Hot water creates them. Washing with cold creates fewer of them, but then they cut easily regardless of if you used hot or cold to wash with. It's not as bad as you think. Don't worry, you aren't you going to have piles of bubbles floating around... Beth:cool:

:) I'm working on that too... :) Beth

John you're a hoot...made me smile and I haven't even had my coffee... Beth:)

Ok. Need a little more info from you. First of all VCT = Vinyl Tile on a floor yes? Please describe what it is you are doing, cleaning an existing floor that has old wax on it, or cleaning a new floor at the construction clean up phase? I would NOT use a pressure washer on it. You can use a pressure washer on tile in a kitchen where you have drains, but not in a room without them. VCT is a strip, mop and wax type thing. Give me some more details to help you with . :) Beth:) p.s. don't forget to add your city and state in your profile please.... you can also add an avatar if you like, and a signature that shows below your posts about your company.

Consider one that hovers. You don't have to have casters. Let me know if you want pricing. We'll have theem online soon. Beth :) p.s. please post your city and state in your profile. :) we're all friends around here.